Former Aston Villa forward Darius Vassell discussed “the ultimate dream” of representing the club, as part of the latest instalment of the Villa Podcast.
EP05 of The Official Aston Villa Podcast sees the boyhood Villan join Kate Tracey and Alan McInally at Bodymoor Heath, discussing his love for Villa, his coaching career, representing England and a freak accident with a drill.
Villa Podcast EP05
Growing up in Erdington, a short walk from Villa Park, the former England international described how he would walk to the stadium on a matchday, just to be around the atmosphere.
Then, when he made it professional for the club, the full circle moment was complete.
He said: “The ultimate dream for me as a youngster. When I say dream, it was beyond anything that I thought could come real.
“We grew up in Erdington, Yenton School we went to. Our house was right next to spaghetti junction, so that’s walking distance to Villa Park.
“So as soon as I got into football and understood that I loved Villa to death, I used to walk to the games.
“Even if I couldn’t get in, I walked to the games just to be around it all.
Throwing it forward to the modern day, Vassell touched on his career in coaching, and the rewarding feeling of helping other young footballers overcome the challenges he did, during his playing career.
He added: “I’m lucky enough to be coaching at the moment, so a lot of my work is spent looking at videos and things like that.
“As soon as I wake up, I’m on the videos. I’m constantly around ex-players who I used to play with, and seeing what they’re up to now.
“I’m lucky enough to get a chance to be around all age groups. You get the odd player which they think is going to benefit from personal coaching, and you get to work with them.
“The good thing about it is drawing from your experiences. Remembering things you’ve been through and trying to help players who are going through similar things.”
The Official Aston Villa Podcast is here!
Welcome to our latest new regular offering for all supporters, available for free on all your favourite podcast platforms and also in video format on VillaTV+.
Co-hosted by fans’ favourite Alan McInally and VillaTV presenter Kate Tracey, The Official Aston Villa Podcast brings you all things claret and blue.
Whether you’re on the move, in the gym or at home, simply search ‘Official Villa Podcast’ on your podcast app or watch on www.avfc.co.uk/video.
- Apple, click here
- Spotify, click here
- Podfollow, click here
